RESUMO
O objetivo do artigo foi estimar a prevalência de extremos antropométricos indicativos do estado nutricional de crianças. Realizou-se estudo transversal com amostra probabilística de 1.386 crianças menores de cinco anos do estado de Alagoas. As prevalências de déficits (z < -2; padrão da Organização Mundial de Saúde-2006) para os índices peso-para-idade (baixo peso), peso-para-altura (magreza) e altura-para-idade (déficit estatural) foram, respectivamente, 2,9 por cento (n=40), 1,2 por cento (n=17) e 10,3 por cento (n=144). O excesso de peso-para-altura (sobrepeso) acometeu 135 crianças (9,7 por cento). Conclui-se que as prevalências de baixo peso e magreza são epidemiologicamente irrelevantes e que o déficit estatural e o sobrepeso prevalecem com idêntica magnitude.
Assuntos
Masculino , Feminino , Criança , Humanos , Crescimento , Desenvolvimento Infantil , Estado Nutricional , Pesos e Medidas Corporais , Criança , Estudos TransversaisRESUMO
The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of extreme anthropometric measurements in children indicative of their nutritional status. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a random sample of 1,386 children under five in the state of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil. The prevalence of deficits (z <-2; WHO-2006 standard) for weight-for-age (underweight), weight-for-height (wasting) and height-for-age (stunting) were 2.9% (n = 40), 1.2% (n = 17), and 10.3% (n = 144), respectively. Excess of weight-for-height (overweight) was seen in 135 children (9.7%). In conclusion, the prevalences of underweight and wasting are epidemiologically irrelevant and stunting and overweight have a similar prevalence.
RESUMO
The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of extreme anthropometric measurements in children indicative of their nutritional status. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a random sample of 1,386 children under five in the state of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil. The prevalence of deficits (z <-2; WHO-2006 standard) for weight-for-age (underweight), weight-for-height (wasting) and height-for-age (stunting) were 2.9% (n = 40), 1.2% (n = 17), and 10.3% (n = 144), respectively. Excess of weight-for-height (overweight) was seen in 135 children (9.7%). In conclusion, the prevalences of underweight and wasting are epidemiologically irrelevant and stunting and overweight have a similar prevalence.
